30th Anniversary History Book

I was hired in 1999 initially to teach a single course of art appreciation, a required core course. By year’s end, I was employed full-time teaching, mentoring, and engaging in student crisis management. Early on, we did not have formal academic titles, but eventually I became an associate professor, full professor, and finally professor emeritus. I initially was attracted to the school’s mission as I had been writing and illustrating a children’s book on disabilities. I was also excited about the future possibilities of building an art department (my dream). Teaching art was the big draw and source of excitement. In the beginning, we did not have a space solely allocated for art appreciation, but as our population grew, a single room was dedicated. Eventually classes were developed for specific studies such as sculpture, ceramics, painting, etc. Increasingly, students Cyrus Van Galyon FORMER PROFESSOR OF ART Re f l e c t i o n s

Our president, Deborah Brodbeck, strongly supported the expansion. The Strimenos family made additional contributions to our growth and physical expansion. Their efforts enabled the initial hiring of additional faculty. The current art faculty is highly prepared and dedicated to teaching at the highest levels. I have witnessed the flourishing of creative and inspired art students’ support by the faculty and facilities. I retired in 2016 with the knowledge that our current president, Dr. George Hagerty’s, vision for and support of the art department is firm and clear. Finally, I return to our art students who were also firm in their desire and vision to be a part of something larger than themselves. They propelled the art department to grow and flourish. The department was built around their needs, desires, and efforts. As to the future, I believe the art department — as a partner in a strong liberal arts college — could strengthen its identification and recruitment of gifted art students to join our mission.

with a strong desire to develop as artists were drawn to the creative opportunities. The belief that an art program could flourish and become a department of art was supported early on by three very important sources: the students, our president, and the Strimenos family of Leesburg, Fla.

Finally, I return to our art students who were also firm in their desire and vision to be a part of something larger than themselves. They propelled the art department to grow and flourish. The department was built around their needs, desires, and efforts.

Our students asked and petitioned for additional classes.

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